5 tips to survive 'Maycember'
There is a reason the term “Maycember” is growing in popularity. For most parents, May is just as busy (if not busier) than December.
Between end-of-year school parties, sports banquets, the dreaded school project that always seems to be assigned the last two weeks of the year, recitals, productions, and graduations…it is a LOT to juggle and manage. Oh, and hey…let’s toss Mother’s Day in there for good measure!
Maycember can be exhausting, especially if you don’t have a plan in place to navigate this jam-packed month. As a time-management coach to overwhelmed moms, that’s where I come in!
Here are 5 tips to help you survive Maycember:
1. Make sure you have all due dates and event dates clearly captured on a monthly view calendar - get ahead of this!
Having a paper (or whiteboard) view of the key events for the month helps you see the “big picture.” Just using your Google or iCal calendar is not enough. Those calendar views are often too cluttered and overwhelming to look at.
2. Block time on your calendar around the events to prevent getting overbooked.
For every large event that requires prep time, block off time on your calendar leading up to the event so you are not cramming in tasks at the last minute. For example, if you need to make refreshments for a celebration, block time on your calendar NOW on the days leading up to it for preparation. This way, when other requests pop up, you will be reminded of the time you need and can say “no” as needed.
3. Shop all at once for gifts (tip: I do most of mine on Christmas sales!)
Take a quick minute to take inventory of any and all end-of-year gifts you want to purchase (teachers, coaches, etc). Then, go out once and get them in one shopping trip.
4. Don’t allow the “mom” to be in charge of Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day can often lead to more stress for moms. Especially if they have younger children. Moms, talk to your family before Mother’s Day and be honest about what you want. If you hate breakfast in bed, tell them. If you want a day with nothing planned, tell them.
5. Protect the first few days after Maycember.
Whenever your Maycember ends, take a look at your calendar the week after all events are over. Plan in and schedule time to recover. If you don’t, you can end up rolling into another long series of planned events and activities with no downtime.
The bottom line is that moms deserve to enjoy all the fun May festivities along with the rest of the family. Having a plan in place and following the five steps above will help you not just survive, but thrive this month.
Triangle mom Megan Sumrell is a former corporate techie turned entrepreneur. As a Time Management Expert for women seeking Work+Life Harmony, Megan teaches specific strategies to help women get on top of their time, calendar and goals while getting rid of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion. Join her free One Notebook Challenge May 15-17 and learn how to keep yourself organized with just one notebook, and kiss notebook clutter goodbye.
